LESSON 1 (EAPP)

• • A position paper presents the writer's stand or viewpoint on a particular issue.
• • Writing a position paper entails outlining arguments and proposing the course of action.
• • A position paper can be an essential tool in bringing about societal change.
• • A position paper is devoted to a discussion of one side of an issue
• • It tackles one significant issue on which the author takes a stand
• • It aims at convincing readers to take the author’s position
• • The position paper has several essential parts such as the issue, the argumentative thesis, the claims, and the evidence
• The issue of the position paper is similar to the topic sentence. It is the central concept up for contention
• • Specifically, an issue would have supporters for both negative and positive sides and the author chooses one for the position paper.
• An issue is developed into an argumentative thesis that states the stand of the author on the issue.
• Claims – These are statements that support the author’s stand
• Evidence – These are proofs to strengthen the author’s claims.
• 1. Evidence from surveys, library research, and experiments.
  2. Evidence from informant interviews (those who have direct experience related to the problem/issue.)
  3. Evidence from expert interviews.
• Parts of a Position Paper

  1. Introduction
  2. Body
  3. Conclusion
• INTRODUCTION

  • Start with an introduction which presents the issue while grabbing the attention of readers.
  • Define the issue and discuss its background.
  • Provide a general statement of your position via your thesis statement
• BODY

  • State your main arguments.
  • Provide sufficient evidence for each argument such as statistical data, interviews with experts, and testimonies.
  • Provide counterarguments against the possible weaknesses of your arguments.
• CONCLUSION

  • Restate your position and main arguments.
  • Suggest a course of action. o
  • State what makes your position superior and more acceptable.
  • End with a powerful closing statement such as a quotation, a challenge, or a question.
• 1.Choose an issue. When choosing one, keep the ff. guidelines in mind.

  • The issue should be debatable.
  • The issue should be current and relevant.
  • The issue should be written in a question form and answerable by yes or no.
  • The issue should be narrow and manageable.
• Fallacies or errors in reasoning weaken your argument
• 2. Begin the writing process by conducting an in-depth research on the issue
• 3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first mention them
• 4. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and analyze them objectively.
• 5. Reflect on your position paper and identify its weaknesses
• 6. Cite valid and reliable sources to establish the credibility of your arguments
• 7. View the issue in a different perspective so you can present a unique approach.
• 8. Limit your position paper to two pages
• 9. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs, needs, interests, and motivations.
• 10. Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and use various evidence and data to refute them
• 11. Use an active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic and firm tone.
• 12. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or deductive approach.
• 13. Check your argument for fallacies and eliminate them. Fallacies or errors in reasoning weaken your argument
• 14. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal.

  An ethical appeal relates to your credibility and competence as a writer; a logical appeal refers to a rational approach in developing an argument; while an emotional appeal uses argument in a way that evokes feelings.